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Dalton Kincaid vs Darren WallerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Darren Waller is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Dalton Kincaid's 8.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Darren Waller is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Darren Waller edges Dalton Kincaid by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Darren Waller goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEBuffalo Bills#11
Dalton Kincaid
PPG
8.9
Games
12
Rec
39
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
TEMiami Dolphins#8PPG LEADER
Darren Waller
PPG
9.6
Games
8
Rec
24
Rec Yds
283
Rec TDs
6
Targets
34
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dalton Kincaid
Darren Waller

Head to Head

8.9 PPG9.6 PPG
12 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Kincaid: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #11 at the position). Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Kincaid is producing at 40% of elite pace and Darren Waller at 44%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dalton Kincaid vs Darren Waller: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dalton Kincaid and Darren Waller is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 PPG with the Buffalo Bills across 12 games, and Darren Waller posted 9.6 with the Miami Dolphins in 8.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dalton Kincaid had 39 catches for 571 yards; Darren Waller posted 24 for 283. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Dalton Kincaid has his bye in Week 7, and Darren Waller rests in Week 6. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Dalton Kincaid (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • Darren Waller outscored Dalton Kincaid by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dalton Kincaid played 12 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means Dalton Kincaid contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Dalton Kincaid saw 49 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Dalton Kincaid is 7 years younger than Darren Waller (26 vs 33), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Kincaid vs Darren Waller: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDalton KincaidDarren Waller
PPG (Half-PPR)8.99.6
Games Played128
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10777
Receptions3924
Rec/Game3.33.0
Receiving Yards571283
Rec Yds/Game47.635.4
Receiving TDs56
Targets4934
Target Share/Game4.14.3
Age2633
Experience2 yrs10 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

Darren Waller outscored Dalton Kincaid by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (9.6 to 8.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dalton Kincaid or Darren Waller in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Darren Waller has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Dalton Kincaid's 8.9 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Dalton Kincaid and Darren Waller average in 2025?

Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Dalton Kincaid and Darren Waller's bye weeks in 2026?

Dalton Kincaid (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Kincaid or Darren Waller a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Darren Waller outscored Dalton Kincaid by 0.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.